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I'm a writer, living in Bristol in the UK. I've had a handful of short stories published but I'm still working on that Holy Grail for fiction writers- securing a literary agent. So, if you're an agent or have an Auntie, Uncle, second cousin, best friend who is one...

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Exploring fictional worlds in a flash

Love Nudge Competition Winner

The judging is over and what a tough week it’s been for me here at Shamble Towers.

I received so many submissions of such high quality and in such a wide range of styles, it felt almost impossible to choose between them. If I could afford to send you all a prize I would.

I was impressed by what an emotional lot you are – you covered everything from pure joy and passion to twisted loathing, blackmail andstalking finally nudging towards jealousy-fuelled homicide. The full gamut of the love experience.

Poetry was a big hitter in the competition and I’ve been introduced to forms I’d never heard of previously – haibun, senryus, shadorma, rondelet, gogyohka – and each one a sparkling gem of brevity and beauty.

Before we go to the result – and because this was about reading people’s work and discovering new blogging pals as much as a finding a winner – I thought I’d share some of my favourite moments from each entrant.

All writing below is the author’s own and merely reproduced to show how clever they all are.

The dressing room door stood open, revealing rows of designer clothes. Her perfectly manicured fingernails caught the sunlight in the mirror as she applied foundation to cover the bruises. The price of security.

The collection of Max and Olive’s drawings has you stumped for hours. He gets the children, he’ll get more drawings. So you should keep these. Then you think of the children – they might miss their masterpieces.

The bell rang, but he waited as she collected her notes, her book, and zipped her backpack. It was how he said goodbye each day. But he couldn’t let her leave him again. This time, he chose to follow her.

Sure she was no longer young or beautiful but was it reason enough to cheat on her, to leave her and the kids for a Barbie doll?

***

And now to the prize giving.

I wish I could give you all a gold star just for finding this competition and for being here.

Honourable Mentions

I send a big, electronic hug to my blogging pals Kat and Sonya and to all those who spread the competition on social media – they know how rubbish I am at Twittering and without their help no one new to this blog would have heard of Love Nudgeat all.

More Honourable Mentions

To those who submitted every day – thank you, you’re amazing. And for those very clever souls – Jane at Making it Write, Walt at Waltbox and Sonya at Only 100 Words – who not only posted for each prompt, but also made each a chapter in the same story: a nod of admiration to you talented group. Also special nods go to Annie at What the Woman Wrote for being so proficient at so many beautiful poetic forms and to Jonathan at Olivier Fiction for torturing himself by using only alliteration in his submissions.

And now to the Winner!

Firstly, let me explain the reasons behind my decision. Not only did the winner post every day, they used a poetic form – the haibun – which combines prose with a haiku ending. They also weaved all seven segments together, making one story, beginning at the height of a passionate affair, passing through its souring by jealousy, stalking, attempted blackmail, separation and a high profile trial. I was by turns gripped, saddened and angered by the way the plot developed, the writer making me care for a protagonist that was foolish, selfish, but strong and witty – someone who was manipulated and could have become a victim but emerged a survivor.

And all this written in the rather tricky second person POV.

So, first prize and a copy of Still Meby All Write Then goes to Sonya at Only 100 Words for her exceptional work. My email is on my profile – if you’d be happy to send me your address, I’ll wing a copy to you in the post as soon as the Royal Mail will allow.

Thank you, again, to all of those who took part. It’s been a joy to meet many of you for the first time and to be introduced to your writing – a pleasure to know such a talented bunch of people all across the world.

Ah, thoroughly deserved my love! It was tough, because there were so many strong pieces in there, but I grew to love your character – even when she was being a plonker! And Regret, where she was sorting through the kids’ pictures, was a real kicker. Thanks so much for taking part for the week – you’re a star. Do email me so I can wing your book to you 🙂

My money was firmly on Sonya from the start! Her work was breathtakingly clever and beautiful! Congrats girl!
And thanks for the honourable mention Lynn! I love that you said twittering! Made me snort!
I hope you’ll do another simialr competition again soon. This was brilliant and I found some fab new blogs through it.
Mwah!
Kat x

Thanks so much for being so supportive, lovely – you really were amazing in making the competition a success. And thanks so much for your fantastic entries. Your Security piece was soooo strong – a complete tragedy in so few words and so well written! My favourite piece of your writing I’ve read so far.
BTW, did you see that Mslexia are running a Genre submission for subscribers – 300 words for sci-fi, fantasy, crime or romance. Saw it and thought of you. I think I might have a pop with some fantasy. Will be more than willing to be a reader for anything you feel like submitting. Take care and love to you X

Aw thanks! I’m always amazed when something I write that I think is below par is really liked by someone… Shows how different we all are doesnt it?
I actually don’t subscribe to Mslexia so I guess I’m out of that… I think you should definitely have a go! And I would happily read for you too!

I’m not giving you any flannel – I truly thought it was a strong piece of writing and if you enjoy the process, I really believe you should do more. Shame about the Mslexia thing, but there are tons of opportunities out there. You’d be great on their blog, too, if you fancied a go 🙂 And thank you so much – if I ever get myself together enough to write another piece for them, I’ll email it to you to see what you think.

I haven’t had the time and energy to turn on the computer after a day at work for a couple of days. Thank you so much for the honourable mention. I appreciate it more than I can say. And I’ve read words that I missed last week; I’m awed by the talent shown (though I knew it was there should I seek to find it).
Congratulations Sonia, it was indeed beautifully woven.
And thank you again Lynn for a delightful journey along the intricate and sometimes difficult path of love/relationships.